Vending apparatus.



- No. 869,807. PATENTED 00T. 29E 1907*.

A. ROSENPELD.

IVENDING APPARATUS. APPLIOATION FILED und. 1. 190e.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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atloznm PATENTED OCT. 29. 1907.

A. ROSENPBLD. .VENDI'NG APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 1; 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Arnold 35* and @Hou/w13 h1 eooco ARNOLD ROSENFELD, OF BEL AIR, MARYLAND.

VENDING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 29, 1907.

Application letl December l. 1906. Serial No. 345,877.

To all lwhom it may concern:

Bc it` known that l, ARNOLD RosENFELD, a citizen of the United States ot' America, residing at Bel Air, in the county ot Harford and State of Maryland, have invented new and useful Improvements in Vending Apparatus, oi which the following is a speciication.

This invention relates to a combined eye testing or examining and coin-controlled eyeglass vending apparatus.

The main object ol` the invention is to provide an apparatus by which the intendi-ng purchaser of a pair of eyeglasses or spectacles may test his eyes before purchasing, and then, by the operation of'suitable coincontrolled mechanism upon the insertion ot' a proper coin, obtain a pair oi eyeglasses or spectacles of the nature required to suit the sight in accordance With the requirements shown by the test.

A further object is to provide a vending apparatus ol the rotary type which is simple oi construction, comparatively inexpensive of production, etlicient in operation, and adapted to enable the purchaser to secure the prescribed character of glass in an easy manner upon tol-' lowing simple directions.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists oi the novel construction, combination and arrangement ot' parts hereinafter l'ul y described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fgure l is a vertical transverse section, with a portion of the rotary carrier broken away to better show the construction, o a vending apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical iront to rear section through the apparatus. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the casing looking down upon the parts ofthe coin-controlled discharge mechanism. Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views ol' the swinging trame and actuating lever of the discharge mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the letter A designates a suitable inclosing casing, preferably provided with an upper curved or dome-shaped top A@ the said casing being made light tight in any suitable manner to form a darkened chamber B, in which the parts oi the vending mechanism are inclosed.

Mounted to turn upon properly arranged supporting pulleys C Within the chamber B is a rotary wheel or carrierl), the periphery of which is arranged to be viewed t'r'om the exterior through observation openings E (one or more) formed in the upper front portion ot' the currved top A, upon which latter is disposed an eye shield E adapted to inclose that portion ol' the face around the eyes of the person gazing through said openings to exclude exterior light rays. The Wheel or carrier D comprises a ring or annulus provided With'internal gear teeth D/ which mesh with the teeth of an operating gear F mounted upon ar shaft G extending transversely of and journaled in the side Walls of the casing andhaving one ot its ends extending exteriorly thereof and provided With a crank handle G/,by which said gear may be turned to rotate the carrier. On the shaft Gr is fixed a disk Gr2 provided with peripheral teeth or recesses G3 adapted to receive a roller G4 upon the free end of a pivoted paWl G5, normally pressed into locking engagement With the disk` by a spring G6. The teeth or notches in the disk are arranged to be engaged by'the locking pawl upon the movement of the rotary carrier a suflicient distance to bring any certain testing lens and associated hopper or holder containing the glasses represented thereby, as hereinafter described, into respective alinement with the observation openings and the dis# charge chute and ejecting device of the coin-controlled vending mechanism. The pressure of the pawl is suflicient to hold the rotary carrier from movement, the ormation of the notches and roller, however, being such as to permit the-drum to be turned in either direction by the expenditure of a slight degree otforce on the crank handle G, the roller running between the notches as the disk turns on the periphery of said disk, as Will be readily understood.

Arranged equidistantly around the periphery of the rotary carrier and extending laterally one side thereof so as to successively come beneath the observation, openingsE as the carrier is turned is a series of brackets H, H, etc., each carrying a pair of lenses h, of proper forni and size lto register accurately with the vopenings E. These lenses apc employed to test the eyes of the prospective purchaser, and the lenses of the several sets or pairs vary in strength and other characteristics to overcome different visual detects. Also arranged equidistantly in spaced relation around the rotary carrier is a series of hoppers, holders or goods. containing chambers I, I', etc., hung upon the inner side of the carrier and projecting laterally on the opposite side from the lenses, each of said holders comprising a box of the prescribed dimensions to receive a column of boxes or packages i, each containing` a singleI pair of eyeglasses or spectacles. The column of packages is normally pressed toward one end of the holder by a spring-actuated follower t, the bottom package being designed to be discharged by the ejecting device oi the coin-controlled dis/charge mechanism., To this end the holder is forme/d in its opposite sides with openings i2 and i3 forming an outlet for the dischargeof thepackage and an inlet for the reception of the ejecting device by 'which it is discharged. The discharge opening of each holder is adapted to register when the holder comes into discharging posi/tion with the upper end o a discharge' carried by the bracket H, it will be observed that when such lenses are in alineinent with the observation openings l, the holder l will be in discharging position. The lens-carriers and holders are copera- Iively arranged in this 111an11e1 around the rotary goods-carrier. so that at all 1in111s in 1h11 operation of the machine the holder carrying the eyeglasses or spectacles represented by any particular set oi testing l1111s11s will be in position for 1h11 discharge of a package therefrmn while 1h11 lenses are in alin1111111nt with 1h11 observation openings 11.

Disposed within 1h11 1111111111111 l1 :1t a proper distance from 1h11 openings l is a sight object comprising a 111'11111 l\V of polygonal foi-n1. which is 111ounted upon a. shaft. l adapted 111 be turned from the eXterior by a crank handle lf2. ln the present instance l have shown a drum of triangular forln` the opposite faces of which are designed to bear suitable printed test matter or carry cards embodying such matter. This matter may be printed in different languages upon the different faces or cards, and the drum is revolubly mounted in order to permit either card to be brought to view through the observation openings and the lenses, whereby, after looking through all of the lenses and inspecting the different sets of test matter on the faces of the drum the operator or intending purchaser can readily determine which of the several sets of lenses best suits his eye and can then actuate the discharge mechanism to secure the desired pair of eyeglasses or spectacles. B is adapted to be lighted up by an incandescent lamp 1c suitably supported therein and arranged in a circuit 111/, in which is a battery or other source of curv'rent 1:2 and a switch button or other circuit-closing device. k3, the latter arranged to be operated from without by the person gazing through the sight openings E. The lamp projects its rays upon the exposed vtest card or face of the drum K7 thus bringing the same .strongly into view. Upon closing the electric circuit, the lamp will glow, and the operator by then turning the crank handle K2 may rotate the carrier to successively bring the lenses thereon into register with the sight openings E, so that he may look therethrough at the sight object or test card. Upon reaching a satisfactory inclus/ion as to which set of lenses best suits his eyesthe person desiring glasses then deposits a coin of the prescribed denomination and effects the discharge of the glasses from the proper holder throughithe mediumof the coin-controlled discharge mechanism, which I Will now proceed to describe. A notched disk K2, similar to disk G2, is fixed on shaft K and engaged by a pawl K3, similar to pawl G5, actuated by a pressure spring K4, whereby the drum may bevreleasably locked with either of its faces in operative position.

In the side of the casing corresponding to the side of the wheel on which the holders are mounted., a coin inlet or insertion slot L is provided and communicates with a coin chute L/ leading downwardly into the casing therefrom. Below the lower end of the chute is arranged a swinging frame M, comprising a plate pivoted at its lower end, as shown at m, to a stationary bracket M to swing in a direction toward and from the adjacentside'of the rotary carrier. The .frame or plate M is formed at its inner upper edge with The chamber an operating lug m/ having an inclined outer face m2.,

and below said lug with a second lug m3 having an inwardly and downwardly inclined face m4, said lugs being spaced to provide an intervening passage m5, A flange mG extends laterally from the inner edge of the frame or plate below the lug m3 and is spaced therefrom to provide a passage m7. The lug m is adapted to be received in a notched portion Z at the lower end of the chute L/ and abuts against said chute to limit the outward or return movement of the frame or plate, the inclined face of the lug also serving to guide the entering coin to the pocket or receiving space formed between the parts of the plate and the actuating lever, hereinafter described. In the plate M is formed a vertical slot m8, in which plays a guide pin or projection m9 upon a sliding coin-supporting plate m10, which plate is formed at its upper edge with an inwardly and downwardly inclined face m, upon which the coin rests prior to the actuation of the discharge mechanism. A spring m12 supports the plate mm in normal operative position and permits depression thereof for the discharge of the coin in the manner hereinafter set forth. The swinging frame or plate is designed to be operated by a lever N, consisting of a plate pivoted at its lower end to the bracket M, as at 11, and formed at its upper rear or outer edge with a finger n/ to engage the coin, which latter couples or forms a connection between the lever and swinging frame whereby forward motionI to the latter may be imparted. A sp1-ing n2 is suitably arranged' to resist forward or inward movement of the lever N and to return the same to normal position.

The lug m/ is arranged to bear against a friction roller o mounted upon the outer or rear portion of an ejector O, suitably mounted to slide in a guide bracket O/ and suitably formed at its inner edge for movement in the opening 'i3 of eachgoods-holder to act as a plunger for discharging the lowest package through the opening t2 of said holder into the goods'discharge chute J. A spring O2 connects the ejector with some suitable portion of the casing and serves to return said ejector and the swinging frame or plate M to normal position after actuation thereof. An operating device in the form of a plate P is mounted to slide in guides p and is provided with an operating knob or finger piece P projecting to the exterior of the casing through a slotp', in which it is vertically movable to permitthe plate P to slide vertically in the guides, said plate being normally held at the limit of its upward movement by a spring P2. A roller o'r contact member p2 is carried by the operating slide P and bears and rides upon, the outer curved edge of the -lever N, which curved edge forms a cam surface, whereby forward swinging motion is imparted to said lever when the operating plate is depressed. j The coin inserted into .the machine drops vertically from the chute L on to the upper inclined edgeof the supporting plate mm between the upper end portions of the swinging frame and actuating lever and the lug m2 and finger nf, which portions form a coin-receiving pocket. When the coin isthus inserted the operator depresses the operating slide P, and the roller p2 is thereby caused to impart a forward swinging motion vto said lever. As a result, the finger n transfers moslides the ejectoil O inward, thereby discharging the bottom package from the holder arranged in operative alinement therewith. As the lever and swinging frame move inwardly onvthe dierent'arcs on `which they swing, the pressure of the linger 'n' causes the coin to depress the supporting plate mlo and to ride in contact with the inclined surfaces of said plate and thelug m2, until, when the parts described reach the limit of their swinging movement, the supporting plate will be depressed suliiciently to eirpose the passage m7 normally closed thereby, through which passage thevcoin passes and drops downward into the casing. When the operating device is released, the springs then return the parts to normal position ready for the succeeding operation. lf any attempt should be made to operatev the device for the discharge of a package without-the prior insertion of a proper coin, such attemptA would be defeated,jas on the swinging movement of the lever N the finger n will simply swing freely through the passage m5, thus preventing motionirom being transmitted to the said swinging vframe or plate M.

It will be observed that bythe arrangement of the lenses upon one side of the rotary carrier or coaction with the sight object on the adjacent side of the chamber and the arrangement of the holders'or receptacles upon the opposite side oi the carrier for coaction with the ejecting mechanism on the same side oi the'chamber provision is made for the transverse movement of the ejecting'ilevicethrough the holders on the carrier for the discharge of the glasses therefrom into the outlet chute l, which, by the arrangement described, may also be so placed as to lie inwardly of the circular plane of movement o the lenses, whereby all liability of interference between the parts is prevented and compactness of construction and arrangement secured. It will also be observed that the relative arrangement of the lenses and holders is such as to enable the prospective purchaser, upon the conclusion of the test, to deposit a coin and secure a pair of the required glasses Without the necessity of further adjusting or manipulating the machine in any pal-rticular to bring the holder carrying the desired glasses-into discharging positioni From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and mode of operation of the invention will be readily understood, and it will be seen` that it provides a simple,

effective and reliable apparatus by which a person desiring to purchase a pair of eyeglasses or spectacles may test his eyes before purchasing to determine the kind or character oi glasses required'to suit his defect of vision, and then, upon the insertion of a proper coin,

may obtain a pair of eyeglasses or spectacles of the required nature. The invention is primarily designed to enableipersons unable to pay occulist fees and buy high grade glasses to procure glasses suitable for overcoming visual defects for assistance in reading or sewing or similar occupations, and to make tests to determine the kind oi glasses required to suit the individual case without additional cost,

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

'1. A testing and vvending apparatus ot' the character described comprising a casing pro-ding a darkened chamber andhaving sight openings and anoutlet, means for illuminating the chamber, a rotary carrier within the chamber, testing lenses uponthe carrier adapted to be brought-into. registe'ring relation with the sight openings," a

`sight object disposd in line with the sight openings and within the plane of rotation of the lenses, means' for rotating the carrier, holders arranged upon the carrier in s uch Irelation to the lenses that when any particular set of lenses is in register with thev sight openings the holder carrying the glasses represented thereby will be in position for thevdisrcharge of the glasses therefrom through the outlet, and means for ejecting the glasses from theholders.

2. A testing and vending apparatus of the. character described, comprising a casing providing a darkened chamber and having sight openings and anoutlet, means for illuminating the chamber, an ejecting device arranged for movement toward and from the outlet, a rotary carrier within the casing movable in a path between said outlet and jecting device and provided upon its periphery with lenses disposed ln spaced relation and adapted to register withthe sightppening, means for rotating the carrier, a sight object disposed in the chamber in the space bounded by the path f rotation of this lenses, holders upon the carrier arranged in spaced relation on lines between the lenses and in such relation thereto that when any particular set of lenses is ln register with'the sight openings the holder carrying the glasses represented thereby will be in position for the discharge of the glasses therefrom through the outlet, said holders being provided with transverse passages for the movement of the ejector therethrough, and means for operating the ejector. i

3. A testing and vending apparatus of the character described comprising a casing providing a darkened chamber, said casing having sight openings and an outlet, an ejector movable toward and from said outlet, means for illuminating the casing, a rotary carrier arranged within the casing and movable in a path in. line with the sight openings and between the outlet and ejector, means for rotating the carrier, testing lenses arranged in spaced relation upon the periphery ofthe carrier, a sight object arranged within the space bounded by the path of rotation of the lenses and in position to be viewed through the sight @apenings and the lenses in register therewith, holders fixed upon the periphery of the carrier and projecting inwardly therefrom, said holders being provided with transverse openings for the discharge of glasses therefrom hjthe ejector through the'outlet and so arranged relative to the lenses that when any particular set of lenses is in register with the sight openings the holder carrying the glasses represented thereby will be in discharging position, and means for operating the ejector.

4. A testing and vending apparatus of the character described comprising' a casing providing a darkened chamber, said casing being provided at its front with sight openings and at one side with an outlet and a discharge chute leading thereto, means for illuminating the casing, a rotary carrier arranged within the casing', an annular series of sets of testing lenses projecting laterally from the carrier on the side adjacent the discharge chute, a sight object disposed within the space bounded by the path of rotation of the lenses and arranged to lie in line with the sight openings and any set of lenses registering therewith, holders arranged upon the opposite side of the carrier from the lenses and provided with transverse discharge openings. said holders heilig so' disposed with relation to the lenses that when'any particular' set of lenses is in register with the sight openings the holder carr ng the glasses represented thereby will he in discharging position, an ejector supported within the casing' `for movement transversely of the carrier und through the openings in the respective holders, and means for operating said ejector when any otisaid holders .is in dischargingposition.

ln testimony whereof, l nlix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ARNOLD ROSENFELI).

Witnesses ll. E. Honnl'rznni., WILLIAM A. WARNER. 

